Top Gear Top 50
 

50 greatest cars of the past 20 years - BBC Top Gear

Thought you'd all enjoy this. See what car got 5th place.

Made the TOP 5, well done PORSCHE!

#5 1996 Porsche Boxster

What we said then:

"Driving position? Perfect. Engine? Perfect. Brakes? Perfect. Gearbox? Perfect. Handling? Perfect."

What a pity the build quality of the cooling system and motor wasn't as "perfect" as all the other stuff they reviewed. Of course, only time would have proved this...

What surprised me was that it wasn't the 981 they were talking about. Wasn't the 987 either. It was the 1996 Porsche Boxster, aka the 986.

IMS? Not so perfect. Too cheap to build two different heads? Not so perfect.

Fantastic heads none the less! What is your issue with interchangable head castings?

Randal, this was their selection of the top 50 cars over the last 20 years based not only upon the original reviews, but experience since then. The people at Top Gear are very much aware of the IMS issues, but nevertheless chose to rank the original 986 where they did. Over that time span, did any other sports car generate the excitement that the original 986 did? Was there any other sports car near the price that had the same balance of performance, handling, appearance and comfort? Is there any other sports car close in price that is still as rewarding to own and drive?

As you are aware, there are numerous upgrades to the IMS that are reasonably priced. If someone is put off the entire experience by worries over the IMS bearing, upgrade it and get on with your (and your car's) life. In fact, when one considers the incredibly low price today for used 986's, they are likely an even better buy than when new in spite of the cost to upgrade the IMS.

Brad

And Jalopnik just posted this Retro 1997 review:

'The 1997 Porsche Boxster Makes Everything Old New Again'

Very cool... I was driving an Isuzu Rodeo back then :-)

The picture is of a MUCH newer Boxster....anyways, where is the McLaren F1? 240Z? M3? RX7? Shelby Daytona/Cobra? Shelby GT350? Old GTO? 73 911? NSX? GXP? M1? 87 GNX? Cayman R? 997 GT3 RS? I mean, I can think of a lot better cars to make that list over a GTI (at #2 no less) or a PRIUS!!!

The great thing about this opinion piece is that it is always up for debate. The Saleen S7 deserves a mention as well.

Reiver, cars like the 240Z, early 911's. Shelby Cobra, GT 350 etc. are all ineligible as it is a list of the best cars over the last 20 years - i.e., since 1993. One can argue these things all day long and a car like the original Prius, while pedestrian, was nevertheless a break-through car in that it was the first affordable hybrid. Hardly a niche car, it started a market that continues to increase in size and importance.

Ultimately, this list recognizes that the 'best' cars must include not just supercars, but designs for the entire market. If you feel that the 986 Boxster should not be on that list (let alone that high on the list), what would you have chosen in its place in its market category?

Brad

If I'm not mistaken, dedicated left/right heads would eliminate the need for the IMS. Am I coming off sounding jaded? Just wrote a check for $7K to fix my IMS & bearing. I ought to be.

I agree, Steve usually has just 1 test car available & I doubt it ever made it across the pond.

Not necessarily, the InterMediateShaft is utilized to reduce the revolution speed of the camshafts relative to crankshaft speed. Porsche has used the IMS for decades & never had problems until they chose to use a bearing at 1 end of the IMS in the Boxster. Designing parts so that they can be used in multiple locations on the same vehicle saves production costs. I don't know if the new design 9A1 engine has interchangeable head castings, but it doesn't have a IMS. Whatever "attitude" you have at the moment is quite understandable. :(

A USED Boxster also just spanked a brand new Toyota Scion FR-S in a comparison test:

Scion FR-S vs. Porsche Boxster Comparison Test - Used Versus New Comparison Test - Road & Track

The Boxster is definitely one of the best 50 cars of the past 20 years!

Dang - I read it as 50 years and was ???? Doh! I wasn't disagreeing with the Boxster at all. I just missed all the others on the list when Prius and GTI was on it.

Is there really such a thing as a 1996 Porsche Boxster?

Yes. A small number were made and sold in 1996. Gov stats show 28 Q4 1996 Boxsters registered for road tax in the UK currently. Think the prod numbers for 1996 were in three digits.

You know this because....?

I'll guess not. When I google and everywhere else I have to put in a make and model, it gives no option for a Boxster for 1996.